Coin-operated press



Jan. 26, 1965 c. E. PHLOLA 3,166,861

COINOPERATED PRESS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1- INVENTOR. CAL V//\/ 5 /uom 6 /ZJM .4 ATTORNEY 1965 c. E. PIILOLA 3,166,861

COIN-OPERATED PRESS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CAL V//\/ E. Puma;

ATTORNEY 1965 c. E. PIILOLA 3,166,861

COIN-OPERATED PRESS Filed April 27, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 N INVENTOR.

CAL V/n/ .E pl/LOLA Jan. 26, 1965 c. E. PIILOLA COIN-OPERATED PRESS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 2'7, 1962 JU/VCT/O/VBOX a RA N 0L 2 m m w H m A 5 mfl a v C Y B United States Patent Ofifice 3,16%,8hl Patented Jan. 26, 1965 3,166,861 CQIN-OIERATED PRESS Calvin E. Piilola, Salt Lake Qity, Utah, assignor to Mc- Graw-Edison (Iompany, Elgin, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 199,578 12 Claims. (Ci. 38-15) This invention relates to a coin-operated press.

An object of the present invention is to provide a press of the character indicated that, when idle, maintains electrical heat in the buck and low heat in the press head to keep the press safely warm preparatory to carrying out an operating cycle upon insertion of the proper coin into the machine. The present press is boilerless and operates entirely electrically. In the interests of economy and safety, the press, when idle,is locked against closing of the press head over the buck, is Without air pressure for both safety and economy, achieves regulated pressing heat only when a coin starts the cycle of operation, provides water for spraying items to be pressed only after sufiicient air under pressure has been stored ready for use, and provides for regulating of said air pressure so the operator may adjust the same according to the type of garment and fabric to be pressed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a coinoperated press in which is provided bar-controlled safety means which, when moved to operative or lowered position, provides an automatic sequence of operation that acts to hold the safety bar down, the press head closed, the spray means operative, and the water pressure to the spray means constant irrespective of pressure drop in the water supply.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for controlling operation of the water spray means to shut offthe same during closing movement of the press head and to open said spray means when the press head is open.

This invention alsohas for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description and which is based on the accompanying drawings. However, said drawings merely show, and the following description merely describes, one embodiment of thepresent invention, which is given by way of il lustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

FIG. 1 is an end elevational view, partly in vertical section, of a coin-operated press according to the present invention and shown in open, non-pressing position.

FIG. 2 is a broken elevational view, as seen from the opposite end of the press, partly in vertical section and shown in closed, pressing position.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the water and air control means of the present invention.

- FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram of the electrical means of the present press.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the press as in FIG. 2.

The press that is illustrated comprises, generally, a frame provided with a table 11 and fixedly mounting a buck 12, a press head 13 operatively associated with the buck and mounted on a pivot 14 for movement between open position and closed pressing position; and the hereinafter described water, air and electrical systems 15, 16 and 17, respectively, for controlling operation of the press to moisten and press a garment disposed on said buck upon insertion of a coin in a coin box 18 carried by the table 11 beneath and at the front part of said table.

The frame 10 is shown as a standard 20 that is enclosed at the top by the table 11 and mounts a post 21 that carries the buck 12 in a spaced position above said table.

The press head 13 is carried by an arm 22 which is biased by springs 23 to hold the head, as in FIG. 1, angularly spaced away from the buck, and is movable by an air cylinder unit 24, to the position of FIG. 2 under control of said unit 24. A stem 25 on a piston 25a in unit 24 is connected by linkage 26 to said press head arm to effect the mentioned closing movement of the press head when said stem is projected. Closing movement of the head is buffered by a hydraulic check unit 27 and a rod 28 connecting the same and the arm 22. In this case, the pressure arm 22 is extended at 22a for resilient connection to the press head 13, and a cover 29 is provided over said extension 22a, the same housing a thermostat 33 (FIG. 4), having a control knob 31, and serving to control the heat of the press head when the press is in operation.

In the present case, the buck 12 is provided with a single electric heating element 32 that is wired through a terminal board 33 to an A.C. line by means of conductors. Therefore, said element is always in circuit and serves to keep the buck warm, with required safety, during idle periods of the press. The press head 13 is provided with a heating element 35 that is connected'by a conductor 36 to said terminal board 33 and byaconductor 37 from said board to the normally open side of a microswitch 38 in the coin box 18. A conductor 39 from said switch is wired through the terminal board to one side of the AC. line. The element 35 is connected to the other side of the lineby a conductor 46 to the thermostat 3i) and by a conductor 41 from said thermostat to the opposite side of the AC. line. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the press head 13 is provided with five additional heating elements 42 which are connected to the AC. line through the thermostat 3t and are in circuit only when the coin box 18 is energized by insertion of a coin.

The water system 15 that is illustrated comprises an inlet shutoff valve 43 that, through a strainer 44, is connected by a tube 45 to a high pressure valve 46. A push button valve 47 in the valve 46 controls flow from tube 45 to a T fitting 48, said push button valve 46 being spring-closed and opened by a push on a stem 49. A flexible tube 50 extends from one outlet end of the T fitting 4S and terminates in a manually controlled nozzle 51. In practice, said tube 50 extends through a tubular bracket 52 afiixed to the back of the press and extending upwardly and forwardly above the head of the operator. A needle valve 53 controls the flow in tube 58. The portion of tube 50 beyond the needle valve is held raised by a retraction spring 54 to facilitate manipulation of the nozzle 51 by the operator.

Said water system 15 further comprises a tube 55 that is connected to the other end of the T fitting 48, said tube terminating in a plurality of spray nozzles 56 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which are carried by means of brackets 57 from the central forward portion of a safety bar assembly 58 and so directed as to spray upon a garment disposed on the buck 12 preparatory to pressing. A' solenoid valve 59 controls flow in said tube. 55. In practice, the tube 55 may be extended from where the same is brought to the pivotal point 58a of the safety bar assembly, either along one of the hollow bars 58b of said assembly to the nozzles 56, or connected to the lower of said bars whereby thelatter constitutes a passage connecting said tube 55 and the nozzles 56. In any case, opening of the valve 59 produces a flow of water to the nozzles.

I the tubes 50 and 55 leading to the nozzles.

The air system to is shown as comprising an air compressor 63, an outlet tube 61 from said compressor, an air storage tank 62 that receives pressure air from tube 61, and an outlet tube 63 from said tank. In the normal operation of the press, the tank 62 is under atmospheric pressure until the compressor is started by energizing the compressor-driving motor 6th: (Fi'GS. 1 and 4). As will later be seen, the motor is started by insertion of a coin in the coin box 18. A predetermined pressure of eighty-five psi. is desired for tank 62. To this end, a pressure relief valve 6 is provided at the end of line 63, the same discharging into a mother 65. A branch tube 65a connects tube as to a cylinder as. A normally retracted piston 67 in said cylinder has a stem 6% that is engaged with the end of stem E9 of the high pressure valve 46. The piston is spring-biased to move only at a predetermined pressure. Thus, when the pressure in the tube 63 reaches sixty p.s.i., the stem 68 is projected, causing the push button valve 47 to be opened so that water flow may enter tubes 59 and 55, the closed solenoid valve 59 stopping flow to the nozzles 5s and the spray nozzle, being normally closed, stops flow from the tube 59. l

The end of tube 63 is connected, through a strainer 63a, to a pressure regulator 69 that may be set to provide a pressure of fifty-five p.s.i. in the tube 7th which extends to a five-way manifold '71. A branch tube 7?. from tube 63 is connected to a pressure regulator 73 that is carried beneath the press table 1.1 and has a regulating handle 7 that is used by the operator to adiust the pressure in tube 75, the outlet of said regulator '73. A control valve 76 receives the flow of tube 75 and, because said valve is closed, the pressure in said tube is retained. When the safety bar assembly 58 is lowered to the position of FIG. 1, a safety valve '77 is opened. Said valve passes air flow received from tube 78 which, through the five-Way manifold 71, receives the flow of tube '70. Said manifold is arranged to connect the ontlettube 79 of the safety valve 77 to tubes 85) and 8 1. The former is connected to an air cylinder 82 that has a plunger 83 which engages and holds the safety bar assembly 58 down, and the latter is connected to a diaphragm unit 84 that acts under pressure in said tube 81 to open the control valve 76 to allow regulated pressure air to operate the cylinder unit 24 by pressing on the piston 25:; to project the stem 25. A mutller 85 is connected to the latter valveto vent the same and said unit 24 when the pressure in tube 81 is released. A branch tube 86 from the tube 81 leads to a diaphragm unit 87 and also to a booster cylinder 88.

The diaphragm unit 87 is connected to a pressure switch assembly 89, said unit 87, when subject to the pressure in tube 86, closing a microswitch 90 that energizes the solenoid 91 of the normally-closed valve $9,

' thereby allowing flow of water in tube 55 to the nozzles 7 said differential pistons 92 and 94, said increased pressure being effective in the valve 46 and, therefore, in Accordingly, a check valve 45 is placed in tube 45. Thus, even should the pressure in the main water supply line drop to a minimum, the booster cylinder acts to maintain a water supply to the spray nozzles at a constant pressure While spraying. a I

The mentioned diaphragm unit 87, through the medium of a lever 96, actuates the switch arm 97 of the microswitch MB to close said switch. The microswitch 90 opens to deenergize the solenoid 91 and close the valve 59 when the press head 13 starts to close. Such opening of switch 96 is caused by a resilient connection 98 between the lever 96 and the head-closing cylinder 24, as the same move downward.

A toggle switch 99 is connected in series with the switch 93- and coil 93. A relay ltlii is energized when the press is in operation.

Operation of automatic spray *When the press is idle, the heating element 32 in the buck 1.2, and the heating element 35 in the head 13, are on, the element 32 being connected directly across the line terminals 161 and N2 of the terminal board 33, and the element 35 being connected to the line terminals m2 and 103, through the switch 38 in the coin box. These elements keep the press warm While idle. Since the element 35 is on only the switch 3% is in the normally-open position, said element goes off when said witch is closed upon deposit of a coin in the coin box 18. The element 32 remains on both during idle and operating conditions so long as there is current in the line.

When a coin is inserted into the coin box, the microswitch 33 assumes a closed position placing the relay 1% in circuit between terminals 162 and 1% of the terminal board 33. The timing motor PM of the coin box is similarly energized when switch 38 is in closed condition. The operating motor tide is thus connected through the energized relay ltltl across the terminals Trill. and 1&2, thereby operating the compressor 60, and placing the five heating elements 42 in the press head in circuit. When the pressure in tank 62 reaches approximately sixty p.s.i., the piston 67 of cylinder 66 is projected, opening the high pressure valve 46 providing spray water for the nozzle 51, and directing Water to the closed solenoid valve 59. Thus, automatic spraying is provided for as soon as the valve 59 is opened.

Sequence of operation Air system I6.Lowering of the safety bar assembly 53 opens the safety valve '77. This allows flow of air to the safety cylinder 82 to cause the same to lock the safety bar assembly in the down position; to act on the diaphragm of unit 84, thereby opening valve '76 and releasing pressure air to the cylinder 24 to close the press head 13 ove the buck 12; to act on the diaphragm of the unit 87 to close the microswitch 9% to energize the solenoid 91 of the valve 59 and opening the tube to conduct water to the nozzles 56; and to actuate the piston 92. of the booster cylinder 88 to cause an increase in the pressure supplied to the spray nozzle while spraying regardless of any lowering of pressure in the main water supply.

When the safety bar assembly 58 is raised during the period allowed for pressing by the coin box 18, the same releases the safety valve 77 to assume its normally-closed position and exhausts the pressure from the air circuit through a vent in said valve. This relieves the pressure on diaphragm unit 84, closing the control valve '76 venting the pressure from the air cylinder 24 through the mother 85. Now the head-balancing springs 23 open the head to the loading position of FIG. 1. The press is ready to operate, as before, upon manual lowering of the safety bar assembly 58. When the operating time runs out, the microswitch moves to the No position opening the circuit to the relay res, cutting out the heater elements 42, stopping the motor 6% and, generally, returning the press to its idle condition when the safety bar assembly is raised so that the springs 23 may open the press head, as above described.

While the foregoing has illustrated and described what is now contemplated to be the best mode of carrying out the invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is not desired to restrict the invention to the particular form of construction illustrated and described, but to cover all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: V

1. A coin-operated pressing machine comprising, in

combination,

(a) a buck provided with a heater,

(b) a press head provided with a plurality of heaters and movable relatively to the buck,

(c) a safety bar assembly encircling and guarding at least the front and ends of said buck and press head when the same are in pressing engagement,

(d) a Water system including a plurality of spray nozzles carried by said bar assembly and directed toward the press head and with a normally-closed valve controlling flow to all the nozzles, and an electrically-controlled valve controlling flow to some of said nozzles, and

(e) air-operated means connected to open both said valves and controlled by manual movement of the safety bar assembly from a retracted position to the mentioned guarding position.

2. A coin-operated pressing machine according to claim 1 in which is provided (a) means to maintain the buck heater and at least one of the press head heaters heated at all times, and

(b) means to connect the remaining heaters to heat the same 3. A coin-operated pressing machine comprising, in

combination,

(a) a buck provided with a heater,

(b) a press head provided with a plurality of heaters and movable relatively to the buck,

(c) a safety bar assembly encircling and guarding at least the front and ends of said buck and press head when the same are in pressing engagement,

(d) a water system including a plurality of spray nozzles carried by said bar assembly and directed toward the press head and with a normally-closed valve controlling fiow to all of the nozzles, and an electricallycontrolled valve controlling flow to some of said nozzles,

(e) air-operated means connected to open both said valves and controlled by manual movement of the safety bar assembly from a retracted position to the mentioned guarding position, and

(f) an air-controlled booster device to increase the pressure in the flow to the nozzles to maintain the pressure of said flow.

4. A coin-operated pressing machine comprising, in

combination,

(a) a buck provided with a heater,

(b) a press head provided with a plurality of heaters and movable relatively to. the buck,

(c) a safety bar assembly encircling and guarding at least the front and ends of said buck and press head when the same are in pressing engagement,

(d) a water system including a plurality of spray nozzles carried by said bar assembly and directed toward the press head and with a normally-closed valve controlling flow to all of the nozzles, and an electricallycontrolled valve controlling flow to some of said nozzles,

(e) air-pressure means to open the normally-closed valve,

(1) an air-operated switch to open the electrically-operated valve, and (g) means controlled by the safety bar assembly, when moved from raised, retracted position to the mentioned guarding position, to supply pressure air to said air-pressure means. 5. A coin-operated pressing machine according to claim 4 in which the air-pressure means comprises an extensible air cylinder and piston, and the normally-closed valve is provided with a closure member engaged with said piston and moved thereby to valve-opening position.

6. A coin-operated pressing machine according to claim 4 in which is provided a diaphragm unit subject to air pressure and, when actuated by said pressure, opening the mentioned valve-opening switch.

7. A coin-operated pressing machine according to claim 4 and provided with an air-controlled booster device to increase the pressure in the water flow to the nozzles.

8. A coin-operated pressing machine comprising, in

combination,

(a) a buck provided wth a heater,

(b) a press head provided with a plurality of heaters and movable relatively to the buck,

(c) a safety bar assembly encircling and guarding at least the front and ends of said buck and press head when the same are in pressing engagement,

(d) a water system including a plurality of spray nozzles carried by said bar assembly and directed toward the press head and with a normally-closed valve controlling flow to all of the nozzles, and an electricallycontrolled valve controlling flow to some of said nozzles,

(e) air-pressure means to open the normally-closed valve,

(f) an air-operated switch to open the electricallyoperated valve,

(g) means controlled by the safety bar assembly, when moved from raised, retracted position to the men tioned guarding position, to supply pressure air to said air-pressure means, and

(h) a safety valve in the latter means and held closed by said safety bar assembly, when retracted, and controlling an air line to the air-operated means, said valve opening to open said air line when the safety bar assembly is moved to guard position.

9. A coin-operated pressing machine comprising, in

combination,

(a) a buck provided with a heater,

(b) a press head provided with a plurality of heaters and movable relatively to the buck,

(c) a safety bar assembly encircling and guarding at least the front and ends of said buck and press head when the same are in pressing engagement,

(0!) a water system including a plurality of spray nozzles carried by said bar assembly and directed toward the press head and with a normally-closed valve controlling flow to all of the nozzles, and an electricallycontrolled valve controlling flow to some of said nozzles,

(e) air-pressure means to open the normally-closed valve,

(1) an air-operated switch to open the electricallyoperated valve,

(g) means controlled by the safety bar assembly, when moved from raised, retracted position to the mentioned guarding position, to supply pressure air to said air-pressure means,

(h) a safety valve in the latter means and held closed by said safety bar assembly, when retracted, and controlling an air line to the air-operated means, said valve opening to open said air line when the safety bar assembly is moved to guard position, and

(i) means to hold the safety bar assembly in guarding position and controlled by the mentioned safety valve.

10. In a pressing machine of the character described and having a buck and a press head,

(a) a flexibly-mounted normally-closed and manually operated spray nozzle,

(b) a group of normally-open automatic spray nozzles directed toward the buck,

(c) a water supply including a flow line to the manual spray nozzle and a separate flow line to the group of nozzles,

(d) a normally-closed solenoid valve in the latter line,

(e) normally closed, air-operated valve means in the watersupply and opened by air to provide spray Water to the flow line to the manual nozzle and spray Water to the flow line to the closed solenoid valve, and (f) air-operated means to open said solenoid valve to I provide spray water to the group of spray nozzles in said separate flow line. 11. In a pressing machine according to claim 10, a switch controlled by the air-operated means to energize the solenoid of said valve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Davis May 1, 1934 Johnston Dec. 19, 1961 

1. A COIN-OPERATED PRESSING MACHINE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, (A) A BUCK PROVIDED WITH A HEATER, (B) A PRESS HEAD PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF HEATERS AND MOVABLE RELATIVELY TO THE BUCK, (C) A SAFETY BAR ASSEMBLY ENCIRCLING AND GUARDING AT LEAST THE FRONT AND ENDS OF SAID BUCK AND PRESS HEAD WHEN THE SAME ARE IN PRESSING ENGAGEMENT, (D) A WATER SYSTEM INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPRAY NOZZLES CARRIED BY SAID BAR ASSEMBLY AND DIRECTED TOWARD THE PRESS HEAD AND WITH A NORMALLY-CLOSED VALVE CONTROLLING FLOW TO ALL THE NOZZLES, AND AN ELECTRICALLY-CONTROLLED VALVE CONTROLLING FLOW TO SOME OF SAID NOZZLES, AND (E) AIR-OPERATED MEANS CONNECTED TO OPEN BOTH SAID VALVES AND CONTROLLED BY MANUAL MOVEMENT OF THE SAFETY BAR ASSEMBLY FROM A RETRACTED POSITION TO THE MENTIONED GUARDING POSITION. 